What's the must hit walleye lake this year?

[Kylersk]

I got a wife-pass next weekend to head out of town and fish with a buddy of mine. I had originally thought about hitting MilLacs, but the reports do not appear to be good. Currently, I think we are leaning towards Otter tail, but I'm looking for some tips/advice from FM. I'd like to keep it within 3 hours or so of the cities.

Thanks in advance.

[Rick]

Ottertail has numbers of small eyes in it. Leech has been pushing out some nice eater size eyes in the 15"-17" range along with some nice perch in the 9"-13" range. Looks like Leech could be coming back nicely in the near future. You never know with Mille Lacs, just about the time you write it off it turns on fire. Besides, if you know what you're doing the eyes are always biting. I'd watch the weather and not hesitate to fish there if the conditions are right. Winnie and Gull are also quietly pushing out some nice fish as well.

I'm also interested in what the rest know about some decent eye lakes around.

[cjac]

I'd still go Mille Lacs, and stick with your "get out of the cities" mentality. Do just that and get off the beaten path a bit. There are fish being caught, it's not just the fish that are tight lipped!

Utilize a good lake map and find some of what I call "structure without a name". Not every good area there has a "Mile" in the name.

Gull has been OK this year too, and a fun area to spend a weekend in. Personally I'm not that skilled on the ice there, but good fish can be had.

Chris

[Team Otter]

Leech, Gull, or Winnie. Flip a coin!

[LMITOUT]

How about Red Lake? Maybe Jonny P can chime in..

[Scott M]

Yeah, although it violates your 3 hour away from the cities rule, my buddy called me from Red and they couldn't keep the walleyes off the hook. 50 a day for like 6 of them.

I did okay on Winni last weekend but had to work for them. I also have a lot of confidence in different spots on Mille Lacs, and have heard about a great bite on Gull and Ottertail mentioned above.

Good luck Kyler and enjoy that masterpiece fish house you built!

[Kylersk]

I plan on hitting red at the end of February for the Slab Fest.

Thanks for the tips and keep em coming!

[PerchPounder]

 Originally Posted By: Team Otter

Leech, Gull, or Winnie. Flip a coin!

A three sided coin? now that i'd like to see. I don't think you can go wrong with any of the lakes mentioned above.

[10,000 Casts]

Right now I would go to Winnie, hands down. Leech is going ok right now, work the deeper humps in walker bay for lots of 14 inchers and a few nice eaters in the 16-17" range. Or try Grand view flatts, goose island and the snake pits for nicer fish but you'll have to work for em.

I have heard of alot of smaller fish on Gull but very good #'s

Winnie seems to have it all right now and besides Upper Red, it has been the best Walleye lake this winter and should continue.

[10,000 Casts]

One other thing, Brainerd's Ice fishing extraveganza is next weekend so you might want to avoid Hole in the Day Bay on Gull and Gull Lake in General.

[talltines]

I will throw an odd ball. Bay Lake by crosby, fishing in 20-26 fow. Very nice size craps with a bonus walleye or two. The lake seems to be pretty consistant this winter.

[MN]

Hey Da_Chise and 10,000 - I am going to Winni next weekend. If you are willing to give a guy a starting point please email me- am going out of Nodaks-Have trucks - can we even fish where we should? Any info is good- Thanks.

[email protected]

[fishgutz77]

If your looking for the out of the beaten path "must hit" I would try Whitefish. stick to lower Whitefish on isolated humps surrounded by deep water. 24-31 fow with 60-80 ft close. chartreuse 1/4 oz buckshots with minnow heads only. We worked for 'em but took home chunky fish that were 18-20's. some bonus whitefish and tulipee are great smokers. Lots of small perch will hound you so be ready when your vex goes blank your about to get whacked. good luck.

[Bulldoggr]

Bowstring. Cut Foot. Eevn Pokegama in Grand Rapids

[Bluegill1510]

I'd just stay away from the whole Brainard lakes area period if that extravaganza is going on "richman's" lake. I'd just go to Mille Lacs or go exploring the alexandria area, there is some ok fishing down that way, Minnewaska, Le Homme Dieu, Miltona, Ida, Reno, just to name a few, and alot of little ponds to try if you like to do the panfish thing.

[CNCMike]

 Originally Posted By: talltines

I will throw an odd ball. Bay Lake by crosby, fishing in 20-26 fow. Very nice size craps with a bonus walleye or two. The lake seems to be pretty consistant this winter.

I second that.

Been quite good for me this year as well.

[GoFish4]

Winnie is a great lake and not as far as Red. Nice thing about Winnie is the Perch are usually there to keep you busy and then when the sun starts to go down.....them eye's come to the humps and start to feed!!